'Blue Envelope Program' Launching Soon For Drivers With Autism In Passaic County

WAYNE, NJ — In an effort to improve communication when residents with autism are stopped by police, the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office is bringing the "Blue Envelope Program" to departments around the county.

The envelopes have instructions for drivers about what to do during a motor vehicle stop, and the driver can keep all their identifying documents inside. They also have a checkbox that indicates if the driver is verbal or non-verbal.

When they hand the blue envelope to the officer, there are guidelines on the other side for law enforcement to help communicate with them, if need be.

County residents with autism spectrum disorder, or their parent/guardian, will be able to pick up one of the blue envelopes at any law enforcement agency by June 24.

Getting pulled over by a police officer "can make anyone anxious," Detective Captain Dan Daly of Wayne PD said. The stressful situation, coupled with the flashing lights and sirens, could create even more anxiety with drivers with autism, he said.

"We are trying to avoid any misunderstandings between our officers and drivers that have autism spectrum disorder," he said.

Senior Assistant Prosecutor Bulent Can said that the Prosecutor's Office brought this program up during meetings of the county Mental Health Working Group, to build a better relationship with law enforcement and members of the community.

"It's just really one of the main things that we're working on with the prosecutor's office, in assisting those who are dealing with mental health needs or those who may be on the autism spectrum, in order to build a better relationship with law enforcement," he said.

The program is voluntary, and drivers can keep the blue envelope with their license, insurance, registration, and any emergency contact information inside their vehicles for easy access.

As both Daly and Can explained, the front side of the envelope has guidelines for the driver, in case they get pulled over by police.

Instructions include to keep their hands on the steering wheel until otherwise directed, to answer the officer's questions, and to state they have a blue envelope. The instructions also mention that the officer may shine a flashlight into the vehicle, or have lights flashing from their police car, Daly said.

The instructions on the back can also help officers understand that the driver is not trying to be evasive if he or she is fidgeting, not making eye contact, or taking longer to respond to a question, Can explained.

"The reason why they're anxious, or the reason they're not making eye contact or not being able to speak, is easily explainable to the officer if they have the blue envelope," he said.

Can and Deputy First Assistant Prosecutor Seth Galkin held an informational session with county police chiefs on June 12, as they begin to roll out the program.

All Passaic County law enforcement agencies will have envelopes available for pickup by the 24th, Can said. This also includes the sheriff's department, and campus police at William Paterson University and Montclair State University.

Can mentioned that Bloomingdale Police have had a similar program in the past; other counties including Union and Hunterdon have a version of the Blue Envelope Program.

"Every department can implement it how they want," he said. "Some departments already have a blue envelope program in place. And this isn't meant to take that over, it's really meant to provide extra envelopes for them, or provide another tool for them as well."

Anyone wishing to get a blue envelope from Wayne PD may come to the Records Bureau window Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Wayne Township Police also has a voluntary registry for residents, in partnership with Wayne For All Ages, which is aimed at improving police officers' communication and response for everyone in the township.

Parents, guardians, or caretakers of people with Alzheimer's, dementia, Down syndrome, autism, and/or other cognitive impairments may register their basic information with police, in case the person goes missing or another emergency arises.

This information is kept in a secure police database, and is confidential.